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Sensory perceptions of individuals exposed to the static field of a 7T MRI: A controlled blinded study
Author(s) -
Friebe Björn,
Wollrab Astrid,
Thormann Markus,
Fischbach Katharina,
Ricke Jens,
Grueschow Marcus,
Kropf Siegfried,
Fischbach Frank,
Speck Oliver
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.24748
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , sensation , audiology , vertigo , medicine , sensory system , perception , phosphene , scanner , psychology , nuclear medicine , radiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , surgery , physics , neuroscience , transcranial magnetic stimulation , stimulation , optics
Purpose To determine the subjective experience of subjects undergoing 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to a mock scanner with no magnetic field. Methods and Materials In all, 44 healthy subjects were exposed to both the B 0 field of a 7T whole‐body MRI and a realistic mock scanner with no magnetic field. Subjects were blinded to the actual field strength and no scanning was performed. After exposure, subjects rated their experience of potential sensory perceptions. Results The most frequently observed side effect was vertigo while entering the gantry, which was reported by 38.6% ( n = 17). Other frequent side effects were the appearance of phosphenes (18.2%, n = 8), thermal heat sensation (15.9%), unsteady gait after exposure (13.6%, n = 6), and dizziness (13.6%). All side effects were reported significantly more often after 7T exposure. Nine subjects (20.5%) did not report any sensory perceptions at all, ie, neither in the 7T scanner nor in the mock scanner. Conclusion Light, acute, and transient sensory perceptions can occur in subjects undergoing ultrahighfield MRI, of which vertigo seems to be the most frequently reported. Possible psychological effects might contribute to the emergence of such sensory perceptions, as some subjects also reported them to appear in a realistic mock scanner with no magnetic field. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1675–1681. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.